By Ivan Pereira
Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez will be sharing the pitcher’s mound with a counselor for the next year as part of a plea agreement he made with the Queens district attorney’s office Friday over assault charges.
Rodriguez, aka K-Rod, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault charges in Queens Criminal Court for attacking his former girlfriend’s father following a game at City Field during the summer. As part of his plea deal, the multimillion-dollar right-hander will take part in a 52-session batterer, intervention and anger management program that he will be paying for on his own, according to Queens DA Richard Brown.
The counseling will take place in his native Venezuela, where he is currently playing winter league baseball, the Mets’ training camp in Florida and New York during the start of the season.
In addition, Rodriguez had to pay more than $14,000 for medical expenses to Carlos Pena, the father of his former girlfriend Daian Pena, and a $1,000 fine, Brown said.
“In seeking a disposition, it was necessary that we be satisfied that Mr. Rodriguez took responsibility for his actions,” the DA said following the hearing.
Rodriguez, who was suspended for the rest of the 2010 season but will continue to play for the Mets next year, was silent in the court, but his attorney said he was remorseful for his actions.
“It’s in the past and he’s going to get help,” he said outside Queens Criminal Court.
On Aug. 11, Rodriguez was in the Family Room at Citi Field following a game with Daian Pena, the mother of his twins, and her father when he went out to the hallway with the elder Pena and beat him up, the DA said. Pena was treated for bruises and abrasions and the pitcher was immediately arrested. Both Penas were given an order of protection against the player.
He violated the order a month later when investigators found he had sent 56 text messages to his former girlfriend, Brown said. The order of protection has been extended for another two years as part of the deal, according to the DA.
If he does not comply with any part of the agreement, Rodriguez faces up to 120 days in jail, Brown said.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
